Welcome home!

Welcome to Maropeng (the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind) and the Sterkfontein Caves. Maropeng means “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, the main indigenous language in this area of South Africa. The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is an easy drive of about an hour from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Our ancestors have lived in this area for more than 3-million years. By coming here, you are coming to the birthplace of humanity. Welcome home!

Featured Specials

Live fossil dig

EXCLUSIVE TOUR OF SWARTKRANS ACTIVE FOSSIL DIG SITE

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to observe an active palaeontological dig at Swartkrans, one of the Cradle’s richest fossil sites, with scientist Morris Sutton.

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Star gazing: Our winter sky

LEARN ABOUT STARS, PLANETS AND CONSELLATIONS

Join Maropeng’s resident astronomer Vincent Nettmann for a basic introduction to astronomy, featuring some of the astronomical objects seen in the sky in winter.

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News

22 May

Exquisite Maropeng – a story in pictures

The Magalies Meander Lifestyle Photographic Challenge, which ran from 1 December 2012 to 28 February 2013, is a hotly contested competition with top prizes for those who… Read more

20 May

Swartkrans walking tour: Book your place today

Visitors to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site are invited to join resident scientist Morris Sutton on 25 May for an informative and interactive walking tour through Swartkrans,… Read more

17 May

Maropeng at INDABA 2013

Each year South African Tourism hosts INDABA, a travel trade show that takes place at the Durban ICC in early May. It is one of the most important tourism marketing… Read more

15 May

Maropeng encourages learning with MiniMag

Education is one of the key strategies at Maropeng, the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site that welcomes more than 250 000 learners every year.

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